Half Of Irish Adults Stressed At Christmas- Extent of Financial Stress Amongst Irish Adults Revealed in New Study by Alka-Seltzer
- · Almost half of Irish adults already stressing about Christmas (49%)
- · Middle aged cohort most stressed (75%)
- · Money worries top causes of Christmas stress (76%)
- · Seasonal stress affects more women than men (74% v 68%)
With the Christmas countdown looming, a new study by Alka Seltzer ‘Christmas Stress & Excess’ reveals the extent of just how much of a headache the Christmas season is for triggering stress amongst Irish adults. Surveying 1000 Irish people, the independent study found that 1 in 2 adults (49 per cent) is stressing about Christmas with the vast majority of these (76 per cent) being anxious about pressures on personal finances at Christmas.
The sandwich generation (women between the ages of 32 and 50 juggling household budget and family duties) carry the biggest seasonal stress burden (76% compared to an average of 63% of older and younger adult). These women cited that the pressures of shopping, cooking, cleaning and entertaining on top of coping with role of chief financial officer for their household.
According to Alka Seltzer, Brand Manager Jennifer Walsh:
“For many Irish adults the downturn has already caused immense worry and concern. The additional pressures on pockets at Christmas can pile on even more stress, adding to financial difficulties. As stress can be one of the major causes of tension headaches, ‘Seasonal Stress and Excess’ has allowed Alka-Seltzer gain further understanding of Seasonal pressures and develop some coping strategies to help mitigate the Season of stress.”
Alka-Selzer Top Strategies to Ensure Christmas Stress is Minimised:
1. Be prepared
The more preparing you can do in advance, the better. If you are relaxed and stressed the chances are that everyone else will be too. If you’ve got a home full of people enjoying themselves, you’ll have a good time even if the turkey doesn’t defrost, or brussel sprouts are soggy.
2. Prune your action list
Cull your list of chores and ensure that only essential actions make it on to your list.
3. Share the Christmas workload
‘Don’t think it’s a failure to delegate tasks to family and friends. Give people something to do. Not only will it help you it will also make them feel useful and more relaxed too.
4. Cut your gift list
Rein in the present buying. Limit gifts to children only, draw names, or organize a gift exchange.
5. Set budget for gifts
Set an upper limit to spend on each person including wrapping and delivery costs. Don’t let the budget spiral out of control. If you plan early there are bargains to be had.
6. Focus on the free stuff
Concentrate on the free pleasures of Christmas – making memories and having fun with your children.
7. Indigestion making someone disagreeable?
Keep meals to a manageable size. Heartburn and indigestion from excessive eating doesn’t make for a happy day. Unfortunately our eating habits at Christmas and large fatty meals can take their toll.
9. Take Time for You!
Take time for yourself. Have a mini break from routine to read, take a walk, snooze or simply take a relaxing bath.
10 Make it fun not perfect
‘A lot of people, women especially, try to get everything absolutely right when they’re under stress. Ease off the perfectionism. Spending time with people and having quality time with them is what’s going to make a good Christmas, and that’s what people will remember
Alka-Seltzer® gives you fast relief from headaches, getting you back to being you.